Garmin Pilot release enhanced features for mobile device applications

Posted By : MRO Business Today

Jul 21, 2017: Garmin announced several new improvements and an expanded feature set for the Garmin Pilot application on Apple and Android mobile devices. New for Android, Garmin Pilot customers can now access synthetic vision (SVX), as well as pilot-configurable checklists within the app. Customers using Garmin Pilot on an Apple mobile device can take advantage of weight and balance calculations customised to helicopter operators, Search and Rescue (SAR) options and more. With the most recent upgrade, both platforms also provide connectivity with the GDL 52/GDL 51 portable receivers, the D2 Charlie aviator watch and the VIRB 360 camera.

Garmin Pilot includes highly developed graphics modeling to create a virtual topographic landscape. Instead of blue-over-brown attitude information, Garmin Pilot easily displays a clear 3D depiction of ground and water features, as well as obstacles and the runway environment. Aiding in situational awareness, GPS-derived airspeed, altitude and vertical speed is overlaid on the SVX page. Moreover, when an active flight plan is present, a horizontal situation indicator (HSI) is superimposed over the 3D topographic landscape. For further situational awareness, pitch and roll information is available when pilots use the GDL 52/GDL 51 or GDL 39 3D in conjunction with Garmin Pilot. In addition to full-screen synthetic vision, pilots can also view split-screen SVX alongside the moving map, flight plan information and more.

Checklists can now easily be created and displayed within the Garmin Pilot app. Similar to an aircraft Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH), these checklists can be categorised by normal, abnormal and emergency and sorted even further by phase of flight, such as preflight, before take-off and before landing. Personalised checklists are also interactive, allowing pilots to choose each individual checklist item. When selected, the checklist item turns green and a green checkmark confirms the step has been completed. Besides creating modified checklists within Garmin Pilot, checklists can also be created on the flyGarmin website and synced to Garmin Pilot on a mobile device.

Garmin Pilot is the first application that includes helicopter weight and balance calculations into a flight plan or a saved trip, which takes into account fuel burn to offer a complete look at weight and balance characteristics throughout a flight. Pilots can take advantage of pre-loaded helicopter types or enter helicopter weight and balance figures manually, noting the arm, moment and station of each point from the POH. Figures such as lateral center of gravity (CG) are easily referenced in the application relative to an active flight plan. In the event CG limits entered within the app are exceeded, pilots receive a visual alert. Furthermore, tailored weight and balance profiles can be shared across multiple Garmin Pilot accounts within Apple mobile devices.

4. Improved stadium Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) include sole colouring to denote when the TFR over a stadium is active or inactive.

5. GPS-based tracks can now be embedded within a logbook entry, which displays a geo-referenced map of a particular flight so pilots can effortlessly recall their latest flight history and tie it to their electronic logbook.

6. Within Garmin Pilot, certified flight instructors can more easily keep track of and maintain endorsements given to their students.

Additional features for Apple and Android mobile devices

New features that have also been included into both mobile platforms:

1. The new GDL 52 all-in-one ADS-B and SiriusXM receiver can display Flight Information Service-Broadcast (FIS-B) weather products, ADS-B traffic, and SiriusXM aviation weather1 within the app. Remote control of SiriusXM satellite radio is also available1.

2. The new GDL 51 SiriusXM receiver can be paired with Garmin Pilot to display SiriusXM aviation weather products1 and provide remote control of SiriusXM satellite radio1.

3. Remote control of the VIRB 360 camera from within Garmin Pilot allows pilots to start/stop video using the app.